Our Verdict
Decent for mixed usage. These headphones have a decent sound quality that's better suited for bass-heavy genres. They are comfortable enough for long listening sessions and their ANC feature does an okay job at isolating ambient noise while commuting and at the office. They have an amazing battery life and wireless range. However, like most Bluetooth headphones, their latency might be slightly too high for gaming and watching video content. This can be eliminated by using the included audio cable.
- Decent audio reproduction.
- Comfortable fit.
- Amazing battery life.
- Mediocre noise isolation.
- Not breathable.
- Bass delivery inconsistencies. Sensitive to glasses.
Decent for neutral listening. The Anker SoundCore Life 2 have an extended and powerful bass, a flat and even mid-range, and a well-balanced treble. However, their bass is slightly thumpy, which some may like, and it's prone to inconsistencies across multiple users. Their mid-range is slightly underemphasized, which makes the vocals and leads thick-sounding. Also, their treble is slightly uneven. Overall, these headphones will be better suited for bass-heavy genres and won’t be ideal for vocal-centric music. Fans of bass can also enable their BassUp feature by double tapping the middle button.
Okay for commuting. They are noise cancelling headphones, but they don’t do the best job at isolating against lower frequency noises like engine rumbles. On the upside, their battery will last you for the longest rides or flights without a problem. You can also use them wired if you want to watch video content while on-the-go to get rid of the Bluetooth latency. Their bulky design might not be ideal to carry around, but they’ll be comfortable to wear for a while.
Okay for sports. They have a fairly secure fit once on the head, but won’t be suitable for most intense sports. Also, these headphones get quite hot and don’t allow for much airflow, meaning you will sweat more than usual. On the upside, their extra bass effect can keep you pumped during your workouts, which some may prefer.
Decent for the office. The Anker SoundCore Life 2 do a good job at isolating against ambient chatter and they don’t leak too much so you shouldn’t bother surrounding colleagues. Their design is comfortable to wear for a few hours, but they do tend to get warm. However, this shouldn’t be a problem if you take them off from time to time. On the upside, their long battery life will be more than enough during a full workday and won’t need daily charging.
Sub-par for gaming. Their latency will be too high for gaming and their microphone isn’t the greatest for online games. However, if you use them wired, you won’t have latency issues and we expect their in-line microphone to be slightly better than the integrated one. It won’t perform as well as a gaming headset boom microphone and the headset won’t be as customizable.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Apr 04, 2019: Review published.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Anker SoundCore Life 2 are decent closed-back headphones that set themselves apart by the value they offer and their amazing 28-hour battery life. Unfortunately, their ANC isn’t the best and their large headband might be too large for people with smaller heads. See our recommendations for the best headphones, the best noise cancelling headphones under $100 and the best wireless headphones.
The Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless are better headphones than the Cowin E7 Wireless. The Anker are noticeably more comfortable, have a slightly better-build, and their sound quality is also better and more accurate. On the other hand, the Cowin don’t get as hot as the Anker after use and don’t have an in-line microphone like the Anker. The Cowin's build has a plastic feel, and their glossy finish is fingerprint-prone.
The Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless are better and more versatile headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless. The Anker outperform the Skullcandy headphones in pretty much every category. They sound better, are more comfortable, and isolate more ambient noise due to their ANC feature, although it isn’t the best. The Anker offer longer battery life and an in-line mic, unlike the Skullcandy. On the other hand, the Skullcandy don’t get as hot as the Anker, and they feel more stable on your head.
The Mpow H10 Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless thanks to their better performance against ambient noise. The Mpow are better suited for commuting and to use at the office, which makes them slightly more comfortable. On the other hand, the Anker's sound signature is more suited for fans of bass, and you can also boost it with the bass effect command. The Anker also leak less than the Mpow and have an in-line mic.
The Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless and the Anker SoundCore Space NC Wireless are very similar headphones in design. However, the main difference between the two is sound. The Life have a more balanced and flat frequency response, while the Space have overemphasized bass and a recessed mid-range, which is better suited for bass-heavy genres. The Life also offer more battery life and take less time to charge, but this may be due to the better noise cancelling performance of the Space. The Space are more versatile since they block a good amount of noise while commuting and at the office.
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